Park name: Jack Dunstan Park
Location: Jacka Street, Wodonga
Jack Dunstan contributed greatly to Wodonga’s growth and development.
From 1936, he grew Dunstan’s Timber to become one of the largest
employers in the region, employing more than 180 people when sold in
1988. His broad community work included 50 years active membership of
Rotary, 21 years on Wodonga Hospital Board and building up Wodonga
Bowling Club.
Park name: Henrika Kuljurgies Reserve
Location: Charlton Rd, Killara
After arriving in Australia in 1948, Henrika Kuljurgies stayed at the
Bonegilla Migrant Reception and Training Centre where she met her
husband Alfred. Henrika had created many well-known paintings in her
Killara studio, all of which featured a magpie. They could be found
throughout the community, including in hospitals and the Commercial Club
Albury.
Park name: Ernie May Park
Location: Corner of Samantha Terrace and Lightwood Drive, Wodonga
Ernie May was a printer at the Wodonga and Towong Sentinel
newspaper for 25 years. For most of that time, he was also a Wodonga
bandmaster and served as president of the Border and Northeast Band
Association, secretary of the Wodonga Public Library and secretary of
Wodonga Rifle Club.
Park name: Joseph Stockdale Park
Location: Parnaby Street, Wodonga
While working in telecommunications, Joseph Stockdale installed a
300-plus line switchboard at Bandiana – one of the biggest. He was also a
postal and phone inspector, and amateur radio operator. Joseph was
president of the Wodonga Rotary Club, Wodonga Football Club secretary
and long-serving secretary of the Wodonga Show Society.
Park name: Kosovar Park
Location: Bandicoot Lane, Bandiana
In 1999, Bandiana became one of eight army barracks in Australia to
host 4000 Kosovar refugees. Many refugee families remained at the local
safe haven until April, 2000. The Albury Wodonga Multicultural Resource
Centre, local schools and the Albury Wodonga Community College played a
pivotal role in looking after the refugees.
Park name: Bidgood Park
Location: Between Basil Court and Comfrey Court, Baranduda
John Bidgood was a native of Devonshire England, who arrived in
Melbourne in 1870. The Bidgood family bought 213 acres in Staghorn Flat
and conducted general farming and grazing. They also had some land under
crop and vineyard. The descents of the Bidgood family continued farming
at staghorn Flat and Wodonga West for 142 years until 2012.
Park name: Ida Schubert Park
Location: Corner of Jamison Drive and Barton Drive, Baranduda
Ida Schubert lived in the house she was born, in Yackandandah Rd,
Baranduda all of her 101 years without electricity. She was one of six
children to Baranduda pioneers, Otto and Mary Schubert. Ida and her
sister Ethel were operators of the Baranduda telephone exchange and post
office. She is remembered as independent, adventurous and fun.
Park name: Mel Read Park
Location: Simon Lane, Baranduda
As the Deputy Chairman of the Albury-Wodonga Development Corporation,
Mel Read was one of the region’s most influential figures. In 1994, he
retired from the corporation and was appointed the Wodonga City Council
Chief Commissioner as part of the Kennett Government’s restructure of
local government from 1994 to 1997.
Park name: Baranduda Fields
Location: 160 Kiewa Valley Highway, Baranduda
The site has been referred as ‘Baranduda Fields’ since the sports precinct project initiated.
Park name: Brian Callanan Park
Location: Elmwood Circuit, Wodonga
Brian “Nipper” Callanan moved to Wodonga in 1986 after he
semi-retired from the Livestock Industry. He was a passionate member
of Wodonga Football and the Wodonga and District Turf Club. Brian and
his wife Mary became the first owner/occupier of The Elmwood
Development, a perfect place between the Football Ground and his Church.
Park name: Wilhelm Koschel Reserve
Location: Off Beechworth-Wodonga Road, Wodonga
Wilhelm Koschel arrived in Wodonga in 1878 from Prussia and settled
with his widowed mother and siblings. They bought a farm on the
Beechworth-Wodonga Rd in 1880, was a successful winegrower before
turning to dairying in the 1920s. The property was sold in 1951. Wilhelm
and wife Amanda Olson reared 11 children, many descendants remain in
the area.